Shakespeare in the Park on Long Island: 'King Lear,' 'Othello' and more

Shakespeare's influence spans centuries, and this summer, it spans Long Island. From comedies and romance, to intense tragedies and violent battles, local theaters are reviving the Bard's stories with a mix of traditional and new interpretations. 

'Henry IV, Part One'

Conflicting loyalties and personal growth take center stage in "Henry IV, Part One," presented by South Shore Theatre Experience of Lindenhurst. The production explores the early reign of King Henry IV as he faces rebellion and watches his son, Prince Hal, reject royal responsibility for a life of mischief.

Director Stephen Wangner said the story avoids clear-cut heroes and villains in favor of a more complex, character-driven narrative. "Everyone believes they’re doing what’s right, even when they’re not," he said. "No one’s completely in the right. No one’s completely in the wrong, and that’s what makes it interesting."

The story also follows Prince Hal’s transformation from reckless heir to responsible royal. Wanger is especially excited about the climactic battle scene.

"Hopefully by the time of that battle scene, the audience isn’t entirely sure who to root for," Wangner said. "It’s not about heroes or villains. It’s about people who think they’re doing what’s right and what happens when those beliefs collide."

• WHEN | WHERE All outdoor performances are at 6 p.m.: July 23 and 30 and Aug. 3 and 6, Argyle Gazebo, Argyle Park, RTE. 27A, Babylon; July 27 and Aug. 17, Lindenhurst Gazebo, 132 N. Wellwood Ave.; July 29, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, 1 Lee Ave.; Aug. 10, Dr. George S. King Park Gazebo, 80 E Main St., Bay Shore; Aug. 13, Farmingdale Village Green Gazebo, 361 Main St. Also 3 p.m. Aug. 24 South Shore Theatre, 115 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst (reservation required).
• COST Free
• MORE INFO Free; 631-669-0506, southshoretheatre.com

'Much Ado About Nothing'

Islip Arts Council and Lindenhurst-based Manes Studio Theatre  have teamed up for a condensed version of "Much Ado About Nothing" that runs less than two hours.

"As many people know, some Shakespeare plays can run even as long as four hours," said Rick Grossman, executive producing director of Manes Studio Theatre. "So it’s going to be an evening’s entertainment outdoors. They can expect a lot of laughter, intrigue, romance, a good time."

While some productions give Shakespeare a modern twist, this one keeps it traditional, a choice Grossman said reflects what the theater's audiences expect. "There’s always room for interpretation, but we think the audiences we are targeting are used to a more traditional style, so that’s the route we’re going," he said.

Performing outdoors, Grossman noted, comes with some challenges, including summer heat (not ideal for actors in period costumes) and the lack of typical theater atmosphere. But he sees the setting as a natural fit for Shakespeare.

"I think what can be very gratifying for both the audience and for the actors is that they are seeing it and performing it in the original environment it was supposed to be done in," he said.

• WHEN | WHERE 6 p.m. Aug. 5, Bay Shore Bandshell, 80 E. Main St.; 2 p.m. Aug. 16, Brookside County Park, 59 Brook St., West Sayville; 2 p.m. Aug. 24, Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River.
• COST Free
• MORE INFO Free; 631-888-3525, isliparts.org

'Hamlet' and 'The Tempest'

Hip to Hip Theatre Company also goes old school with its two Shakespeare productions: "Hamlet" and "The Tempest."

"Hamlet" director Jason Marr will also play Polonius in that production as well as Prospero in "The Tempest."

"We’re pretty traditional in our interpretations of the plays," Marr said. "We just feel that the plays work best when you try to honor the world of the play that was created."

He describes "Hamlet" as "a political thriller, revenge tragedy" that follows a young prince grappling with the death of his father. "And like all revenge tragedies, it ends up with a big pile of bodies on the stage at the end," he said.

Marr shifts to a different tone in "The Tempest," Shakespeare's last comedy, where he portrays a deposed duke who uses sorcery to confront those who betrayed him.

"It’s got shipwrecks, and there’s a monster, and there are fairies," he said. "It’s got a little something for everyone and it’s got a happy ending." 

A 30-minute Kids & the Classics workshop is offered before each performance for children ages 5—12.

• WHEN | WHERE 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 ("Hamlet) and Aug. 23 ("The Tempest"), Agawam Park, 51 Pond Lane, Southampton
• COST Free
• MORE INFO Free; hiptohip.org

'King Lear'

Aging, power and pride collide in EastLine Theatre’s production of the tragedy "King Lear," which follows the titular monarch's decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters, a choice that spirals into betrayal, madness and war.

"It’s a story about family, power and loss," said Amy Benjamin, who plays the title role.

A 73-year-old retired English teacher who lives in Coram, Benjamin is making her stage debut in the role of the aging ruler. Though Lear is written as a man, she said, "there’s nothing that King Lear feels and experiences that I cannot easily imagine."

The production embraces Shakespearean tradition by traveling light with no set, minimal props and a rotating list of venues. "We’re doing what Shakespeare’s players once did," Benjamin said. "Just us, the language and the story."

• WHEN | WHERE 3 p.m. Aug. 2, Port Jefferson Free Library, 100 Thompson St.; 2 p.m. Aug. 9, Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, 407 William Floyd Pkwy., Shirley; 3 p.m. Aug. 10, Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Rd., Plainview; 6 p.m. Aug. 14, Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke.
• COST Free
• MORE INFO Free; eastlinetheatre.org

'Coriolanus' and 'Othello'

The Carriage House Players return for another summer at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, this time with "Coriolanus," a tragedy that’s "overtly political, very exciting, something that audiences might not be so familiar with," said director Evan Donnellan.

Rounding out the company’s annual Summer Shakespeare Festival, is "Othello," the ultimate story of jealousy and betrayal.

For "Coriolanus," Donnellan said the team is "modernizing it to reflect contemporary concerns," while keeping the play’s themes of pride, loyalty and power front and center. "We’ve got skilled stage fighters and strong performances across the board," he said.

• WHEN | WHERE All performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 7 p.m. Sundays. "Othello" runs through Aug. 3; "Coriolanus" Aug. 15-Sept. 7; Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd. Centerport 
• COST $20
• MORE INFO carriagehouseplayers.org